Crowe eyes lesser charge

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Actor Russell Crowe says negotiations are under way to have the
charge against him for allegedly throwing a phone at a New York
hotel concierge reduced so he can continue to work in the US.

The Hollywood star was charged with felony assault and criminal
possession of a weapon after allegedly hurling a telephone at
Mercer Hotel employee Nestor Estrada in SoHo, downtown Manhattan,
in June.

At the time the actor was busy promoting the film Cinderella
Man, in which he plays the lead role.

The notoriously short-tempered Crowe, 41, has said he was
frustrated at being unable to call his wife, Danielle Spencer,
because the phone in his room did not work properly and he became
embroiled in the altercation.

Crowe has reportedly paid Estrada $US100,000 ($132,000) to
settle the dispute but still faces criminal charges of assault.

If the New York District Attorney's office does not reduce the
charges and the star is convicted, he could lose his right to work
in the US - a major blow to his career.

The case was set down to be heard this week but is likely to be
deferred until November.

In an interview with The Bulletin magazine, the actor
revealed negotiations were under way for him to face a less serious
misdemeanour charge, which would allow him to work and travel in
the US.

But even that would cause him problems, he said.

"Every time I apply for a visa, it's like you need to take a
suitcase into the embassy," Crowe told The Bulletin.

"So to add this charge, even as a misdemeanour level - it
started as a felony but now they're discussing misdemeanour -
basically stops me getting certain types of visa.

"And it certainly stops me from getting a visa at any
speed."

But the actor, who has earned himself a bad boy reputation, says
he is prepared to accept his fate.

"If I'm an international menace like the defence attorney is
suggesting, then fine," Crowe said. "I'll just stay here
[Australia]."

Crowe insists he is a gentleman. "I also have grown up in this
society where if you show gentleness you're a poof," he said.

And despite some suggesting he needs anger management classes,
Crowe says he has a high level of personal control.

"Do you have any idea the level of personal control that I have,
to get to where I am?" Crowe asked.

"Any idea at all? This thing of being a smoking gun, this lit
fuse, it's just bollocks."